Saturday, 26 September 2015

Indonesia should not have to apologise for the haze, says VP Kalla again

Strong comments from Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam over Indonesia's 'shocking statements'The Straits Times, 26 Sep 2015The ongoing haze crisis, which has affected the lives of millions across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, has started to draw strong comments from leaders here.Foreign and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, in a Facebook post on Thursday night, expressed his unhappiness at what he referred to as "shocking statements made, at senior levels, from Indonesia, with a complete disregard for our people, and their own"."How is it possible for senior people in government to issue such statements, without any regard for their people, or ours, and without any embarrassment, or sense of responsibility?" wrote the minister.Mr Shanmugam did not name any of his Indonesian counterparts or elaborate on the statement in question at the time.

http://tdy.sg/1PBtxbC - "How many months do you think everybody (our neighbours) enjoys the fresh air from our green...
Posted by TODAY on Friday, September 25, 2015

His post on social media came after Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla had reiterated that Indonesia need not apologise to its neighbours over the haze.Speaking at a dialogue at the Indonesian Consulate-General in New York on Thursday, Mr Kalla said Indonesia needs only to ensure that forest fires that cause haze do not recur, Kompas daily reported yesterday.

"Look at how long they have enjoyed fresh air from our green environment and forests when there were no fires," said Mr Kalla.

"Could be months. Are they grateful? But when forest fires occur, a month at the most, haze pollutes their regions. So why should there be an apology?"

He also accused "companies from neighbouring countries" of paying locals to clear lands using the slash-and-burn technique, which have led to the blaze.

Mr Kalla had made similar remarks in previous years.

The most recent occasion was in March this year, when he rapped neighbouring countries for complaining about the haze, asking them to be grateful instead for the clean air they enjoy for the rest of the year.

"If Indonesia can stamp out illegal burning, they will gain investor confidence in their abilities to tackle other complex challenges. The haze is their litmus test for effective administration and regional leadership. We all see it, breathe it; and there is no hiding."

Merlion is mythical like the Garuda and will not be affected by the haze. But we humans will be, not just now but also...
Posted by MParader on Friday, September 25, 2015

Indonesia should not have to apologise for the haze, says VP Kalla againTODAY, 25 Sep 2015

Indonesia should not have to apologise to its neighbours for the haze, Vice President Jusuf Kalla reportedly told Indonesians yesterday (Sept 24).In a near repeat of a statement he had made in March this year, Mr Kalla reportedly said that Indonesia’s neighbours should be thankful for the months of fresh air that the nation’s forests bring.The Indonesian news site Kompas quoted Mr Kalla as telling a group of Indonesians at a dialogue session at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York: “How many months do you think everybody (our neighbours) enjoys the fresh air from our green environment and our forests when there are no fires? It could be months. Are they thankful? But when forest fires occur, it at most lasts for a month, the haze pollutes their territories. So why should we apologise?”

Mr Kalla also claimed that it was foreigners, who needed land between 1960-1970, who initially taught Indonesians how to destroy the forests. “As a result, in the name of development, our forests were cut down,” Mr Kalla said.

The Indonesian Vice President did say that Indonesia must handle the forest fire issue so that the haze will not happen again.He added that besides preventing forest fires, the government has issued a ban on logging and a moratorium on land use, including opening new land for plantations.

JUST IN: "Go ahead, we are open. Singapore can come and see for themselves if they want to help. Don't just talk (about it)," says Indonesian VP Jusuf Kalla. str.sg/Z2hL
Posted by The Straits Times on Monday, September 28, 2015